appearance of power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appearance of power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the outward manifestation or impression of authority or control, often in a political or social context. Example: "The leader's carefully crafted speeches created an appearance of power that masked the underlying issues within the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The issue is the appearance of power.

The New York Times - Sports

Augusta is a nice hammer to have when the appearance of power can make or break a deal between men.

The New York Times - Sports

If the chassis were an inch higher off the ground the car would lose its appearance of power; an inch lower and it would seem to drag.

The New York Times

The appearance of power means that from now on his clients, customers, suppliers, creditors, investors, and contractors will be that much more willing to cut a deal.

The New Yorker

It is also possible, he suggests, that weighty majuscules "lent an appearance of power, the patina of age, and the ornamentation due to a grand gesture".

The New Yorker

As with the clocks in the Eurasian Union's Moscow lobby, Russia wants not power so much as the appearance of power.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

We do not analyze the third-order structure function, but judge whether a nonlinear energy cascade is present or whether it is not by only analyzing the appearance of power-law distributions in the low-frequency part of the magnetic field spectra.

Advances in Space Research

Due to the appearance of powers series of the unknown parameter in the analytic development of the exact discretized systems, an overparameterization is realized for the adaptive law.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Therefore, topology-induced fluctuations constitute an important source of stochasticity which could be responsible of the appearance of power-law distributions in <img src="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/asset?id=info?doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0013651.e483.PNG" class= inline-graphic"/>.

Plosone

A complete analysis of this simple mathematical model depicts, both numerically and within a theoretical probabilistic approach, the appearance of power-law dependences in the distribution of permanence times in the up state.

Plosone

By exercising his agency with ruthless defiance he procured for himself the appearances of power and personal prestige.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "appearance of power" when you want to emphasize that something only seems powerful, without necessarily possessing real authority.

Common error

Avoid using "appearance of power" when you mean actual power or influence. The phrase specifically denotes a superficial or misleading impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appearance of power" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the superficial or perceived quality of being powerful, often contrasting with the actual possession of power. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is used to describe the outward impression of authority.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appearance of power" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the outward impression of authority or control, often distinct from actual power. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides context. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds usage across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using the phrase, be mindful of the subtle difference between perceived and real power. Alternative phrases such as "impression of power" or "facade of power", can provide a variety of nuanced ways to explain the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impression of power

Highlights the subjective perception created by power, similar to "appearance of power".

facade of power

Implies a deceptive or superficial display of power, often concealing weakness or vulnerability.

illusion of power

Emphasizes the deceptive nature of power, suggesting it might not be real.

image of power

Focuses on the visual or symbolic representation of power, how it is portrayed and perceived.

evidence of power

Focuses on tangible proof or indication of power rather than its mere appearance.

expression of power

Refers to the outward manifestation or demonstration of power, often through actions or symbols.

performance of power

Highlights the active enactment or display of power, suggesting a staged or deliberate presentation.

appearance of competency

Shifts the focus from power to the perception of being capable or skilled.

aspect of power

Refers to a particular feature or element that contributes to the overall sense of power.

appearance of potential

Highlights the promise or possibility of future power, rather than current authority.

FAQs

How can I use "appearance of power" in a sentence?

You can use "appearance of power" to describe situations where someone or something seems powerful, even if they lack genuine authority. For example, "The general maintained the "appearance of power" despite the dwindling resources."

What are some alternatives to "appearance of power"?

Alternatives include "impression of power", "illusion of power", or "facade of power", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "appearance of power" grammatically correct?

Yes, "appearance of power" is grammatically correct. It functions as a noun phrase and is widely used in formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "appearance of power" and "exercise of power"?

"Appearance of power" refers to the outward impression or perception of authority, while "exercise of power" refers to the actual use or application of authority. One is about perception, and the other is about action.